WATCHWORD:
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethany on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. Matthew 21:1-3
7 “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. 8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. 9 For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord. 10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. Job 12:7-10
Meditation:
Psalm Sunday
It’s Palm Sunday, and Jesus travels from Bethany into Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey with a large celebrating crowd, many of whom had been with him since Jericho, waving palm fronds and throwing them on the road for the King. A triumphal entry for the Messiah.
A Donkey’s Tale
In a special devotional for Palm Sunday, Crosswalk.com, featured Dr. Michael A. Milton providing an interesting perspective on the Palm Sunday triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. With imagination, we are asked to hear about Palm Sunday from one who was there…the chosen one, the donkey. Listen, as the little colt shares its experience with us:
All the children waved palms and sang Hosanna. I could never forget! It was the high mark of my life. There are several things about that day that stand out to me. Let me see:
Firstly, Jesus chose me. I remember that the Galilean chose me to fulfill Scripture. I did not belong to the Galilean, but I belonged to a man from Jerusalem. But on that day the Galilean sent his disciples and told my master that “the Lord hath need” of me. Do you know what that means? People see me as stubborn and mean. Not Jesus. He did not choose me out of pity. He selected me to be his supporter because in the secret councils of Almighty God, he set his love on me. If only I could have talked! Do you know how it feels when God chooses you despite your reputation? Yet, Jesus chose me.
Jesus used me. By saying that Jesus “used me,” I don’t mean that he took advantage of me. To the contrary! He gave me a part in the greatest story ever told. What do you think about that? Do you still want to call me stupid and mean and stubborn? I may be all of those things, but for one brief shining moment, I carried the King of Kings and Lord of lords on my back. And I can never get over how God uses a simple little creature like me to bring about His great Salvation.
Others overlooked me. In the midst of all the hosannas and all the waving palms and palm branches thrown at my feet, I knew the cheering was not for me. I knew the palm branches did not form a veritable “red carpet” for the Prince of donkeys. No. I knew they were welcoming Jesus as the promised Messiah. But just as they overlooked me and my important part in that great Palm Sunday story, many overlooked the Scriptures. For that glorious King who rode on my back was not a political figure. He was not riding into Jerusalem to overthrow Rome. He was riding into Jerusalem to go to the cross. And I can never forget that. The Scriptures declare that we creatures know more about God than some of you.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you, or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”
Yes, we can learn much from what the Lord has taught us through all elements of His creation and the ministry of His Son, our Lord and Savior. Yes, it is Palm Sunday and sadly the cross of Friday can be seen in the distance. But take heart, Sunday is coming, Yes indeed, it is. Hallelujah! Amen.
The Days of Holy Week:
Stayed tuned to Watchwords every day of Holy Week. Be reminded of what our Lord and Savior has done for us, to present us to Almighty God, clean, unblemished, and forgiven. May we never take the gift of the Cross for granted.
Palm Sunday Prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives in reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Thanks be to God. Amen.
